A long standing rule at Hastings High is that every student that parks in the school’s parking lot must register their vehicle. There are many reasons why this rule is around. Officer Travis Beahm has been at Hastings High for two and a half years. He says the main reason is for student safety.
“One reason is to make sure someone is allowed to be on the property. We want to make sure you guys are safe,” Beahm said. “The main thing is safety and so the students learn.”
Officer Beahm checks the lots as often as possible, but it’s not his main focus.
“I wear many hats for this job whether it be police or mentoring somebody. I try to do it as much as I can, but it’s not my number one job,” Beahm says. “My priority is student safety and that’s apart of that safety.”
When students don’t register, first is a ten dollar fine. After that, if the student continues to park in the school lot without getting registered, their vehicle can be towed.
“We haven’t towed a vehicle in years, I’d never want to make that expense for somebody, but that can happen in the real world,” Beahm said.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, you can register your vehicle any time of the school day.
“There are times when I’m not at school because I’m at another school or at training to better myself. Just like teachers have teacher days, so do I. Otherwise they can come see me anytime,” Beahm said.
This year, in order to get your registration sticker, you need to bring: your license, registration, insurance, and the white slip with all of your information. In past years students have only needed to bring the white slip and their license. The reason for the change is to help students prepare for driving now and in the future.
“If a student is pulled over those are the three things that they’re going to ask for, I’m glad students know what those things are. If there was an accident out in the lot, that could be a problem. You don’t want to be the victim of someone not having insurance,” Beahm said.
The main reason students should register their vehicles is for their safety. That is Officer Beahm’s and Hastings High’s top priority.
“I get to meet all of you guys face to face,” Beahm said. “I’m watching numerous things in the hallways and it can be hard to remember a thousand names. This way you guys have police officer contact and I can say I remember someone. It’s a brief interaction, but I think it’s important.”
